Let's talk suspension
 

So I was just thinking today. What would it take to get this car A) Hold traction and B)be more likely to spit out the rear end (or at least lessen the understeer) around a turn.

Would the best setup be nose down and stiff with the rear end higher with stiff ass springs to hold it up? I know a lot of guys like to lower the rear too...it looks good.

But wouldn't it be optimal to put as much downforce as possible on the front end to increase traction and prevent the rear end from squatting. I'd imagine you want to maximize that rear end angle to maximize said downforce on the front.

It wouldn't look good...but, correct me if I'm totally wrong...just trying to visualize the physics and start up some fresh conversation around here. Please no flaming...we're all just trying to learn more about the car and how to take it to it's limit.

I've also heard that adding more weight to the trunk or putting a lighter engine in the front would balance out the weight and thus help to minimize understeer....being that these are nose heavy cars...I think I've heard they are 60/40 in weight distribution from front to rear.

I wonder if the GP GXP's Bilstein shock and spring set up would work on a MC SS? If so that would be very nice and I know you'd notice a BIG difference in handling. I had a 2001 GT and then got the GXP. I did so many suspension mods to the GT and it never was as good as the GXP. Not even close... I can take big exiting off/on-ramps at close to 85 mph in the GXP. If you want less body roll then think about some poly bushings for the front and rear. You'll notice how flat the car stays with those on. Good luck with whatever you do.

Regards,

-Mike

Why wouldn't it fit? Did GM make these W-bodies different? I would think the Springs/Struts and suspension components would be the same? Since when does GM do that? Once you think you got it figured out, then they switch there strategy?

I looked at the tire rack website recently and they have some kyb products on there.

For the past couple of years, trying to establish brand identity. The Pontiacs are supposed to be more performance oriented, even though they use the same uni-body.

I agree on the poly mounts, did that with my S/C'd Regal, world of difference. I think we did some research on the poly last winter - sourcing mounts.

That Motorweek vid I posted in another thread shows the weight transfer on the MCSS, which was tuned to be more civil. I agree with going with more aggressive dampening and rebound on your shocks as a fix.

All of this will really change the ride characteristics of your Monte.

What about the rear suspension...was I right about not dropping the rear to keep a more aggressive angle of downforce on the front end?

Anyone have info on Poly suspension bushings?

64/36 for weight distrubution

Wow worse than I thought!!

Here is a link for the front and rear swaybar end links: http://www.wbodystore.com/grandprix/...nks-p-115.html


Regards,

-Mike

Well I guess this answers my question:

http://www.wbodystore.com/grandprix/...air-p-195.html

Yeah - these cars are the opposite of a RWD, where you want the weight to stay on the fronts.

I would advise calling the WBS before you buy anything from them.

I know Buffalo did a lot of research on the GMPP sway bars last winter. We had some discussions about the STB's, looks like the WBS has one, Corny did a report on one he got.

The GMPP trailing arms look interesting. I'm a big fan of poly.

I always want to mess with the car's suspensions I have, but I personally really like the ride of the MCSS. My Z is one of the .91g cars, and it really rides like crap compared to the MCSS. Maybe the thick seats in the MCSS will absorb most of that ...

Next thing is the getting something like the BFG KDW's.